Sudurpaschim Royals Squad and Schedule NPL 2026: Full List
Published on October 24, 2026
Summary Overview: Sudurpaschim Royals' squad for the Nepal Premier League 2026, captained by Dipendra Singh Airee and coached by Misbah-ul-Haq, with overseas players Saif Zaib, Brandon McMullen and Scott Kuggeleijn. All seven league fixtures in Nepal Time, UTC, IST and ET.
Who are Sudurpaschim Royals? One of the eight franchises in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), and the league's most consistent team. They have topped the league stage in both seasons but lost both finals.
Who is the captain? All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, one of Nepal's best players, retained as the team's marquee player.
Who is the coach? Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, appointed head coach for this season.
Who are the overseas players? England's Saif Zaib, Scotland's Brandon McMullen and New Zealand's Scott Kuggeleijn. More overseas signings are expected.
When is their first match? The season opener, on Monday, October 26 against defending champions Lumbini Lions at 5:00 PM Nepal Time (11:15 UTC, 4:45 PM IST, 7:15 AM ET). It is a rematch of last year's final.
The Story: So Close, Twice
The Nepal Premier League returns for its third season from October 26 to November 21, with every game at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.
For readers new to cricket: in a T20 match, each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries), so a game lasts about three and a half hours. In the NPL, the eight teams play each other once, and the top four reach the playoffs. Each team can field up to four overseas players in its XI.
No team has been better in the league stage than Sudurpaschim. In both of the first two seasons, they won six of their seven league games, finished top of the table and won Qualifier 1 to reach the final. Both times they lost: to Janakpur Bolts in 2024 and to Lumbini Lions in 2025, when they were bowled out for 85.
This year they have brought in Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach, kept their Nepali core, and open the season against the very team that beat them in the last final.
The Talking Points
Dipendra Singh Airee Leads
Dipendra Singh Airee was retained as the Royals' marquee player and named captain. He is one of Nepal's most important cricketers, a powerful middle-order hitter who also bowls off-spin.
Misbah-ul-Haq in the Dugout
Former Pakistan captain and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq takes charge, with Nepali coach Jagat Tamatta also on the staff. His job is simple: turn a brilliant league team into champions.
Three Overseas All-Rounders
Saif Zaib, a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin, returns to the Royals after scoring 275 runs and taking 12 wickets in the first season. Scott Kuggeleijn, also back, is a New Zealand seam-bowling all-rounder. Brandon McMullen is a Scotland all-rounder who bats in the top order and bowls seam.
Dipak Bohara, the Top Buy
Batter Dipak Bohara was the Royals' most expensive buy at the auction, at Rs. 10 lakh. Seamer Milan Bohara cost Rs. 5 lakh.
The Full Sudurpaschim Royals Squad
| Role | Players |
| Captain | Dipendra Singh Airee |
| Batters | Binod Bhandari, Dipak Bohara |
| All-rounders | Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Saif Zaib, Brandon McMullen, Scott Kuggeleijn, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Tek Rawat, Ayub Chand |
| Bowlers | Tek Raj Thalal, Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami, Hikmat Mahara, Milan Bohara, Sachin Bhatt |
| Also named (role to be confirmed) | Anil Kharel |
17 players as of October 24. Overseas: Saif Zaib (England), Brandon McMullen (Scotland), Scott Kuggeleijn (New Zealand). Each NPL squad must have six to eight overseas players, so more overseas signings are expected. Saif Zaib and Anil Kharel have been confirmed by the team and in news reports but are not yet listed on the NPL website.
How They Were Signed
| Player | How signed | Price |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | Retained (marquee) | |
| Binod Bhandari | Retained | |
| Aarif Sheikh | Retained | |
| Ishan Pandey | Retained | |
| Abinash Bohara | Retained | |
| Hemant Dhami | Retained | |
| Hikmat Mahara | Retained | |
| Brandon McMullen | Retained (overseas) | |
| Scott Kuggeleijn | Retained (overseas) | |
| Saif Zaib | Overseas signing | |
| Tek Raj Thalal | Icon player | |
| Dipak Bohara | Auction | Rs. 10 lakh |
| Milan Bohara | Auction | Rs. 5 lakh |
| Tek Rawat | Auction | Rs. 2 lakh |
| Ayub Chand | Auction | Rs. 2 lakh |
| Sachin Bhatt | Auction | Rs. 2 lakh |
| Anil Kharel | Auction |
Prices are in Nepali rupees, as listed by the Nepal Premier League.
📄 Download the Sudurpaschim Royals squad and schedule as a PDF to save or share.
Players to Watch
Dipendra Singh Airee (c): Nepal's star all-rounder and the Royals' captain and marquee player.
Brandon McMullen: A Scotland all-rounder who bats in the top order and bowls seam.
Scott Kuggeleijn: A New Zealand seam-bowling all-rounder, back for another season.
Saif Zaib: A left-handed batter and left-arm spinner who starred in the first NPL season.
Aarif Sheikh: A retained Nepal international all-rounder.
Dipak Bohara: The Royals' most expensive auction buy at Rs. 10 lakh.
Sudurpaschim Royals Fixtures (Nepal Time, UTC, IST and ET)
All matches are at the TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur.
| # | Date | Opponent | Nepal (NPT) | UTC | IST | ET |
| 1 | Mon, Oct 26 | vs Lumbini Lions | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 7:15 AM |
| 4 | Wed, Oct 28 | vs Pokhara Avengers | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 7:15 AM |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 31 | vs Biratnagar Kings | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 7:15 AM |
| 11 | Mon, Nov 2 | vs Chitwan Rhinos | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 6:15 AM |
| 16 | Fri, Nov 6 | vs Karnali Yaks | 12:30 PM | 06:45 | 12:15 PM | 1:45 AM |
| 21 | Tue, Nov 10 | vs Janakpur Bolts | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 6:15 AM |
| 24 | Fri, Nov 13 | vs Kathmandu Gurkhas | 12:30 PM | 06:45 | 12:15 PM | 1:45 AM |
NPT is Nepal Time (UTC+5:45). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). ET is US Eastern Time: Daylight Time (UTC-4) until November 1, then Standard Time (UTC-5). In Pakistan, 12:30 PM games start at 11:45 AM and 5:00 PM games at 4:15 PM. Every match starts on the same calendar date in all zones.
The fixture pattern: the Royals open the season against Lumbini Lions, the team that beat them in last year's final, then play four games in eight days. Their league stage finishes on November 13, two days before the last league games, so they may have to wait to learn their playoff fate.
Playoffs (If They Qualify)
| Stage | Date | Fixture | Nepal (NPT) | UTC | IST | ET |
| Qualifier 1 | Tue, Nov 17 | 1st vs 2nd | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 6:15 AM |
| Eliminator | Wed, Nov 18 | 3rd vs 4th | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 6:15 AM |
| Qualifier 2 | Thu, Nov 19 | Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 6:15 AM |
| Final | Sat, Nov 21 | Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2 | 5:00 PM | 11:15 | 4:45 PM | 6:15 AM |
Stat Corner
| Stat | Figure |
| Squad size | 17 as of Oct 24 |
| Overseas players | 3 named (6 to 8 required) |
| Retained players | 9 |
| Most expensive auction buy | Dipak Bohara, Rs. 10 lakh |
| League-stage record, 2024 and 2025 | 6 wins from 7 in both seasons, top both times |
| Finals | 2 played, 2 lost |
| Head coach | Misbah-ul-Haq |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the Sudurpaschim Royals squad for NPL 2026?
- Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Saif Zaib, Brandon McMullen, Scott Kuggeleijn, Aarif Sheikh and 12 more. The full list is above.
Who is the Sudurpaschim Royals coach?
- Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
Have Sudurpaschim Royals won the NPL?
- Not yet. They lost the final in both 2024 (to Janakpur Bolts) and 2025 (to Lumbini Lions).
When do Sudurpaschim Royals play their first match?
- In the season opener on Monday, October 26, 2026, against Lumbini Lions at 5:00 PM Nepal Time (4:45 PM IST).
Where are NPL 2026 matches played?
- All matches are at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Nepal Premier League 2026 Schedule: Full NPL Season 3 Fixtures, Teams and Match Times
📋 Lumbini Lions Squad and Schedule for NPL 2026